Everything IT

Month: August 2017

We are relying on our computers so heavily in today’s modern society; however we do not provide adequate maintenance to keep them performing reliability. Did you know that accumulation of dust is the number one cause for computers overheating? Computers require optimal cooling power to function adequately and dust accumulation prevents fans from pushing enough circulating air, a computer heat sink dissipates heat from the CPU to prevent its hundreds of delicate pins from high temperatures, it is vital that this component is well maintained to keep the system operating at the correct cooling power.

What to look out for

Fan noise: a loud fan is a sign that it is over compensating, the system is not providing enough cooling power and therefore being overworked to provide adequate cooling.

High temperature: a higher temperature indicates that the heat sink is not dissipating enough heat from the CPU, causing heat to be dispersed through other components and the external casing. Usually a symptom of an accumulation of dust within the heat sink.

Operating System instability: system crashes and unexplained power cycles can be caused by extreme dust build up. When the system is not circulating enough cool air and temperatures are reaching excessive levels, the system programmed behaviour is to shut down and immediately reduce any stress on system components.

Tips on cleaning dust from your computer

Power down your computer and disconnect all cabling from the back of your computer before cleaning it.

Use a damp cloth to remove excess dust from the external casing and keep clear of any input ports.

Always keep the computer clear of any water or liquid, spray cleansing solutions directly onto the cloth and never on the computer.

Use anti-static wipes for computer screens and peripherals.

Use a dust mask and clean in a large open area.

Remove the external case to expose the internal system board, use a can of compressed air upright to blow the dust from the internal components.

Handle the computer with care, avoid damaging internal system hardware and never contact any internal system components without an anti-static strap.